Lighting options

[d33ps3a]

Originally Posted by unclesalty

Compare them side by side and you will see. IMO and lots of other peoples opinion is that 6 AI's are reguired for a 6 ft tank. The AI's even with 70 degree optics installed do not have the coverage spread the Radions do. I have researched this for months but its also my opinion and everyone has a different opinion. I was originally going to go with a Vertex or 6 AI's but changed my mind and will have 4 Radions on my 6ft.

I think this link will change your mind.
http://www.h2oplusomething.com/index...ment&Itemid=64

And they say 6 AI's are needed if you mount them perpindicular side by side. If mounted length wise 3 or 4 should be good.

[MarkoD]

honestly. you just spent 3 grand lighting your tank i spent less than a 1000.

even if i got an additional AI (which i might) i'd still be at less than half of what you paid

and if i wanted to spend 3 grand and get 8 AI sol fixtures. i'd have more power, and less spotlight than you'd have with 4 radions.

[unclesalty]

Originally Posted by d33ps3a

I think this link will change your mind.
http://www.h2oplusomething.com/index...ment&Itemid=64

And they say 6 AI's are needed if you mount them perpindicular side by side. If mounted length wise 3 or 4 should be good.

I did read that article a couple months back! The AI has better par but "spotlights" and has less coverage as seen in the pics. Lots of people on RC are also not happy with the AI's and there coloring.

[Borderjumper]

I'm REALLY impressed with the Radion!

[MarkoD]

heres a picture of my tank right now, only 2 AI sols (still waiting for one to come in)
they are only 8 inches above the water. and running at 65% power



im sure once i get 1 more fixture in the middle and i raise them all to about 12" above water, ill get great coverage and power

[d33ps3a]

That fan on the radion is kind of concerning. Being on the bottom of the fixture, you are going to be sucking moisture head on. Would you not also get some salt in there also? If it was on the top it wouldn't be so bad cause you aren't facing the water. Any radio owners wanna chime in?

[unclesalty]

Originally Posted by d33ps3a

That fan on the radion is kind of concerning. Being on the bottom of the fixture, you are going to be sucking moisture head on. Would you not also get some salt in there also? If it was on the top it wouldn't be so bad cause you aren't facing the water. Any radio owners wanna chime in?

I thought the exact same thing. The fan draws air from the bottom and then it channels it out the 2 ends. The electronics are completely sealed from the air passage cooling tunnels so nothing to worry about. The fan itself could be a problem down the road but thought I heard where it was only $20 to replace fan but not 100% sure on that price.

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by d33ps3a

That fan on the radion is kind of concerning. Being on the bottom of the fixture, you are going to be sucking moisture head on. Would you not also get some salt in there also? If it was on the top it wouldn't be so bad cause you aren't facing the water. Any radio owners wanna chime in?

I dont think it'll be a problem. You wont be mounting them close to the water anyways. As to the people having problems with the AI's well they've been out alot longer so of course there will be some reviews. There will be some negative feedback from the Radions as well just as soon as people start bleaching and frying all their corals. IME I started to have a little bit of algae show up on my sandbed due to a little impatience.The biggest mistake people make is turning the intensity up too high from the start. I grow corals not sand, who cares, I got a sandsifter problem solved. If one can get their hands on a par meter or have a little patience all should go well. No need to be a couple of kids arguing over who's got the better bike. Both lights are good. The AI Sols work good for me and theres good reviews on the Radions. Buy what you can afford.

[unclesalty]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

I dont think it'll be a problem. You wont be mounting them close to the water anyways. As to the people having problems with the AI's well they've been out alot longer so of course there will be some reviews. There will be some negative feedback from the Radions as well just as soon as people start bleaching and frying all their corals. IME I started to have a little bit of algae show up on my sandbed due to a little impatience.The biggest mistake people make is turning the intensity up too high from the start. I grow corals not sand, who cares, I got a sandsifter problem solved. If one can get their hands on a par meter or have a little patience all should go well. No need to be a couple of kids arguing over who's got the better bike. Both lights are good. The AI Sols work good for me and theres good reviews on the Radions. Buy what you can afford.

Exactly-buy what you can afford! I do have a par meter and I did own both an AI and Radion at the same time. Was an easy decision for me which to sell and which to keep!

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

heres a picture of my tank right now, only 2 AI sols (still waiting for one to come in)
they are only 8 inches above the water. and running at 65% power



im sure once i get 1 more fixture in the middle and i raise them all to about 12" above water, ill get great coverage and power

Looks like really good coverage with the AI's considering it's only 2 units over six foot long tank. Makes me wonder why some say the coverage is bad with the AI's. Oh well, I guess if I paid double the price for poorer par I would look for a justification too. To each their own, either fixture will grow coral just fine.